{"title":"James Booker","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJames Booker was a versatile American pianist, known for his wide range of musical styles. Born on December 17, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana, he recorded rhythm \u0026amp; blues in the 1950s but also ventured into pop songs and even classical renditions of Chopin waltzes. Despite his talent, Booker struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, leading to multiple prison sentences and the loss of his left eye in 1973.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his career, James Booker showcased his incredible skills as a pianist across various genres. His music encompassed not only traditional rhythm \u0026amp; blues but also popular tunes like the theme from The Godfather. Additionally, he demonstrated his versatility by interpreting classical compositions such as Chopin's waltzes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInfluenced by artists like Snooks Eaglin and Professor Longhair, James Booker became an integral part of the vibrant New Orleans music scene. His unique style and virtuosity on the piano set him apart from other performers of his time. Although plagued by personal struggles, including drug addiction that led to several stints in prison and ultimately cost him an eye, Booker's musical legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"classified","title":"Classified","description":"\u003cp\u003eNow long out-of-print, \u003cem\u003eClassified\u003c\/em\u003e is \u003cstrong\u003eJames Booker\u003c\/strong\u003e's last commercial recording, made in 1982 and according to producer Scott Billington, was completed in four hours. Classified is re-issued in its original form as a single LP utilising the 2013 remastered audio (not expanded).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the great blues albums of the early '80s, \u003cem\u003eClassified\u003c\/em\u003e captures the legendary New Orleans pianist \u003cstrong\u003eJames Booker\u003c\/strong\u003e not long before his premature death at the age of 43 on November 8, 1983. Recorded in a series of sometimes problematic sessions in 1982 -- producer Scott Billington details, so it's hard not to read it as something of a final statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eClassified\u003c\/em\u003e is an essential title in the year-long celebration of the Rounder 50th Anniversary honoring the label's rich legacy with a unique offering of catalogue reissues, box sets, live events, an original podcast series, and more!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Craft Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50464141574475,"sku":"1093116","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ae90368f-4a2c-45f8-909b-d035c786a6a7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727271028"},{"product_id":"the-lost-paramount-tapes","title":"The Lost Paramount Tapes","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis album features James Booker leading a band comprised of New Orleans’ greatest underground monster musicians recording overnight in a studio after playing a gig. In Los Angeles. In 1973. And just to make this scenario even more bizarre, Booker is playing tack piano, which used metal tacks to strike the piano strings instead of the usual hammers. Imagine the sound of a piano in a honky tonk in the Wild West and you’ll get a pretty close approximation. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen after recording what could and probably should go down in history as one of New Orleans’ finest albums, Booker take the masters, disappears for a while, show up later in New Orleans minus both the master tapes and his right eye. Welcome to the wild world of James Booker.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJames Booker was one of America’s most stunning piano players. He was born, and died, in New Orleans, and in his 43 short years created an approach to the piano that has not been matched before or since. His music defies classification. It’s not exactly the blues, it’s not exactly jazz, it’s not R\u0026amp;B, it’s not classical; it’s a synthesis of all those.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thirty Tigers","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50478704623947,"sku":"1050525","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/811232bf-4537-4e63-a2fb-518d3d6970cc_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727489342"},{"product_id":"the-ivory-emperor-1954-1962-sides","title":"The Ivory Emperor 1954-1962 Sides","description":"\u003cp\u003eKnown as the Piano Prince of New Orleans, the great James Booker was one of the cornerstones and most colourful characters in the Crescent City. He was a distinctive keyboardist who mixed R\u0026amp;B, gospel, blues, boogie-woogie, and traditional \u0026amp; modern jazz into a uniquely funky and breathtaking sound. This collectors release includes all of the singles Booker made as a leader in the beginning of his career, between 1954 and 1962, for different labels such as Imperial, Chess, Ace, and Peacock. The set also contains additional sides from other terrific artists featuring James Booker as a sideman. These wonderful numbers form the building blocks of Bookers legendary musical legacy. The best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soul Jam","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50480276767051,"sku":"1115898","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/474bde7a-3ab4-467f-817d-db879aaae963_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727517930"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_5c92a70d_thumbnail_4096_0b8b166f-969a-4e20-9894-3a838809ad3c.jpg?v=1727271008","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/james-booker.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}